The Human Flies - [31]

‘That certainly seems to be the case. However, I must still ask that you and all the other residents let us check any bank accounts you have.’

Kristian Lund jumped and immediately looked more wary. He sounded exasperated and almost aggressive when he replied.

‘I am sorry – I do not understand why that is necessary. What could you find in my account that could be of any relevance whatsoever to the murder?’

I felt that I was getting very hot now. I gave him my most piercing look and replied curtly: ‘I am afraid that we cannot divulge that for technical reasons. All I can say is that we are routinely checking the accounts of all the residents.’

For a few seconds Kristian Lund looked deeply perplexed. Then he shook his head in irritation.

‘I must say that I feel that this is becoming too personal. And I have work to do, so I am afraid that I will not be able to answer any more questions this morning. I would just like to point out that I know nothing about Harald Olesen’s murder. And in my vulnerable position, it is hurtful that you do not believe me. I will consider the situation and discuss it with my wife, but for now I am afraid that I cannot give you access to our bank accounts. In the meantime, you may think whatever you like is the reason for this.’

I really had no idea what to make of either Kristian Lund or his accounts, but I realized that I was going to get no further with him here and now, and had more than enough to be getting on with. So I asked him to stay in the office for the next couple of hours, without phoning anyone at 25 Krebs’ Street, and got up to leave.

The young Miss Elise Remmen was standing beaming right outside the door and showed me out with great efficiency. And it must be said that as I followed her as she sashayed through the shop, I did wonder how well she actually knew Kristian Lund. He seemed to have a highly developed and enviable knack of keeping the company of attractive women. But I chose only to exchange pleasantries about sport and sports equipment with Elise Remmen, rather than ask troublesome questions about her boss. It suited us both. She twittered away, happy as a lark, and said I would be welcomed back whenever I had the opportunity. If my thoughts had not been caught up in a murder investigation, I may well have been tempted.

With the exception of his reluctance to allow me access to his bank account, I found Kristian Lund’s revised statement to be relatively credible. All that remained was to establish what the other residents in 25 Krebs’ Street, in particular the young Miss Sara Sundqvist, might have to add to their earlier statements.

III

When I got to 25 Krebs’ Street, I made a brief visit to the Lunds’ flat first. Karen Lund was at home with her young son, and both were in a splendid Sunday mood. Mrs Lund listened to my story of the stereo’s secret with an open mouth, while her son was obviously less impressed and babbled away happily. It was swiftly established that, given the circumstances, it was now technically possible that Karen Lund could have carried out the murder before her husband came home at nine. She assured me, however, that she was not capable of murder, and that if she was going to carry out a murder, she would certainly have to make sure she had a babysitter first.

There was not much more to be had there, and I have to admit that I stayed no longer than strictly necessary. It felt awkward standing with the carefree Mrs Lund, now that I knew her husband was not the loyal family man she believed him to be. As she followed me to the door, I faced a bit of a dilemma when Karen Lund asked if the misunderstanding regarding when her husband had come home on the evening of the murder had been cleared up. I avoided saying anything definite as best I could by replying that there was no longer any doubt that he came home to the flat at nine o’clock on the evening in question. She seemed to be relieved to hear that and smiled brightly. I found myself wondering whether Mrs Lund really was as simple and happy as she seemed, or whether she might have a more serious and dangerous side.

More drama awaited on the first floor. Sara Sundqvist was still visibly shaken by the case and smiled very tentatively when she opened the door to me. However, now that the worst of the shock had passed, she had put on her black dress, leaving the top button undone, and I immediately understood how Kristian Lund had felt when I sat down beside her on the sofa. Her beauty was gracious and could undoubtedly be extremely tempting if she so wished.

It appeared that Kristian Lund had kept his word not to call. To begin with, Sara Sundqvist had very little to add to her previous statement. She was obviously taken aback when I told her about the stereo player, but smiled and complimented me on solving the mystery of how the murder was committed. She then had to admit that she did not have an alibi, as she had been at home from a quarter past four until after the body was found. And she had seen or heard no mysterious movements out in the hallway.